Cards

This was the scene that I came home to this evening...

It was great - they were having a blast playing a card game & enjoying each others' company. Of course they were supposed to be doing homework, but at least they weren't fighting.

Making Rank

The boys both earned new ranks at tonight's Boy Scout meeting. They are now a Tenderfoot Scout & Star Scout, respectively. We are so proud of them!

An Old Friend

3 years ago I photographed this horse pulling the Oakhurst Dairy wagon...we saw him again today, pulling the same wagon, in the Oxford Hills Christmas Parade in South Paris! We found out what his name is...it's Eagle.

Girls, girls, girls...

My niece is visiting this weekend. Of course, the first thing they had to do was saddle up Lily!

Bedding Down

Happy Thanksgiving! Here's just one of the many things that I am thankful for - living in the country, with wildlife just out my front door...

Remember the doe that I showed you last spring? Well, she had twin fawns this summer and the group of them has been hanging out in our pastures, keeping Lily company. The twins' father has also come by to visit. He's quite an impressive looking fellow, but will only come out of the woods after dark, so I haven't been able to get a picture of him. I've gotten quite a few pictures of the fawns and their mother because they do come right up next to the house.

This morning we stepped out of the front door and couldn't believe our eyes! They had actually bedded down right there next to the house last night! You can see where they were digging for grass, and in the closeup picture, you can see where they actually laid down to sleep. I'm impressed that they trust us that much, to sleep so near...and I hope that they find a safe place to hide from the hunters during this final weekend of hunting season.

"Thanks, Mom!"

"Uh, guys? I didn't actually put that in there for you to stand on!" The poor little goats' legs are too short for the amount of snow that we got today!

Snuggle-Bug

The kids all love to snuggle with Rusty and he loves every minute of it!

Just a dusting overnight...

Science Project

We went to the Middle School tonight to see all the 7th Grade science projects, each of which dealt with an issue regarding environmental awareness. We were so proud when he was engaging strangers as they approached his project board and answering their questions. He did a great job!

1st Green Egg

Remember the Americauna chix that we got last spring? One of them laid her first egg yesterday! He was so excited to find it waiting in the nest when he got home from school!

Porky Porcupine

The boys had a visitor this afternoon. They called me at work, all excited, and wanting to know where my camera was...there was porcupine eating beside the house! He let them get really, really close before he got nervous and headed up a tree. I kinda wish that they didn't get so close, but I guess they didn't get hurt, so it was okay. They thought it was a great visit!

Cat Car

I saw this wicked cool car out my office window this afternoon and I just had to have pictures for the blog! Fortunately, one of my co-workers was willing to take my camera out to get these shots. Thank you! I LOVE this moving promotion for the Humane Society of Knox County, Maine. Someone had a great idea...

A Silkie & Her Egg

We just watched her lay that egg!

Way too cool!! I haven't heard the word 'awesome' said that many times in a long while. She is very excited to have been able to see that happen. Me too! That's only the 3rd time I've watched it, even though I've been raising chickens my whole life, 'cause the hens are usually quite private about their egg laying.

5th Way to Cook Eggs

This morning we made 'Egg in a Hole' - one of my favorites, which I hadn't eaten in years!

This One's for YOU, Uncle Lucas!

THANK YOU to all our soldiers & veterans!

Campin' out...or is it in?

No school (or work!) tomorrow! Whoo hoo!!

So, tonight we are letting the kiddos 'camp out' in the downstairs' family room, watching movies 'til they fall asleep. They're psyched!

First Flower This Morning

It's always been more of a Thanksgiving Cactus than a Christmas Cactus...

We're going to enjoy a great display this year, though. It is covered with buds!

Poached Eggs

This morning the girls learned how to make poached eggs - 4 different ways to cook eggs under their belts now! Good thing our hens are good producers! That's a bantam egg, by the way. A perfect size for a girl who wasn't sure she was going to like poached eggs. She did!!

Our Kind of Day

It was a beautiful day to spend outdoors, playing around the farm with the kids.

Both kinds - 2-legged & 4-legged! Lily got lots & lots of attention, the goats & chickens entertained us with their antics, and we got a few projects around the farm done. Just like busy little squirrels...we're getting ready for winter...

Typing is a Challenge Today

I had to wear a bandage on my index finger because my sweet little AlyCat bit me! I'm not sure that I blame her though. I was shoving a pill down her throat. I might bite someone if they did that to me too!!

Snow Man

Not to be out-done by his step-sisters, my son built a snowman to go with their snowlady. One of the girls took Rusty out to meet him...